It’s fine to drink juice when you’re watching your weight but as with any food or drink, you need to count the calories it provides as part of your daily total.

This is one reason health experts in the UK advise sticking to a 150ml serving size. This will give you around 65 calories in standard orange juice, roughly 70 in apple and about 80 in pineapple.

Vegetable juices tend to be lower as they contain only small amounts of the fruit sugar fructose (about 60 calories in green juices, 40 in carrot). The problem comes when intake shoots above this which is very likely once you get into juicing or have a lot of shop-bought juices. Most juices are sold in 250ml individual serving sizes, progressing to 1 liter cartons and bottles designed for sharing (but all too easy to gulp down over the course of a day). Therefore it’s hardly surprising that calorie intake can quickly creep up.

It’s important to realize eating whole fruits and vegetables will be more satisfying than drinking their juice. This is partly because chewing food begins the process of sending signals to the brain that help to tell us we’re feeling satisfied and it’s time to stop eating.

In addition, whole fruit and veg take up more space in the stomach. Because you’re eating the soluble and insoluble fiber along with water inside the cells, the sheer physical presence of food helps to trigger a sense of satiety.

REDUCED-FAT EVERYTHING

Labelling on foods and drinks can be a minefield at the best of times and the labelling of reduced-fat products is one of the trickiest to navigate.

This is because legally the term “reduced” or “light”, whether it refers to fat, saturated fat, salt, sugar or calories, means that the reduced version has at least 30 per cent less of the nutrient mentioned when compared with its full-nutrient version. But reduced fat doesn’t automatically mean low calorie.

For example, a standard hummus has around 309 calories and 26g fat per 100g. The reduced-fat version has 216 calories and 15g fat. Even though the reduced-fat version is obviously a better choice than the full-fat version, the reduced-fat hummus still contains around the same number of calories as 100g of full-fat Philadelphia cream cheese (235 calories and 22g fat). So wherever you see reduced-fat pack claims, you still have to read the small print, especially searching out the fat and calories per serving. Different brands also vary in fat content and therefore in their final calorie content, depending on what the fat levels were in that particular brand’s regular product. Beware of products that remove fat to achieve a seductive low-fat or reduced-fat claim but add other ingredients, such as sugar, to maintain its overall appeal, physical structure and flavor. Take fruit yogurt: a 150g low-fat strawberry yogurt provides only 1.7g fat but 119 calories – 32 of which come from the 2tsp of added sugars.

RAW FOOD DIETS

This is a big health trend but while there is a lot to be said for eating a diet that contains more whole fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, don’t assume all raw foods, especially desserts, are low in calories, fat or sugar.

Many raw snack bars or balls and raw desserts such as vegan cheesecake, contain a lot of dried fruit, nuts, seeds and coconut oil which increase the calories. In addition, sweeteners such as rice malt syrup, maple syrup and raw honey are often used (frequently in large amounts), so they’re neither sugar-free nor low in calories.

If you’re buying a packaged raw snack, it’s as important to check out the nutritional information as it is with non-raw treats. And at cafes, you still need to exercise some restraint with raw cake, just as you would with any other.

EATING HEALTHY SUGARS

We’ve all been advised by Public Health England (PHE) to dramatically reduce the free sugars in our diet. These are the ones we add to food or those found in the foods we buy.

They appear on the ingredients list as things such as cane sugar, brown sugar, sucrose, glucose, fructose or high-fructose corn syrup. PHE recommends we limit our consumption of free sugars to 7tsp (30g) a day – that’s about half of what the average Briton eats. In an effort to cut down, many people have switched to what they perceive to be “natural” sugars, such as honey, syrups and nectars, in the belief this means their diet is sugar free. Not so. Ingredients such as honey, agave nectar, date syrups, rice malt syrup, maple syrup and coconut sugar may have a healthier image but they all count as free sugar, so we need to limit them.

Products made with these ingredients, however natural they claim to be, are usually still high in sugar (and therefore calories), so they need to be limited just as you would any biscuits, cakes or sweets. If a food contains less than 5g sugar per 100g it means you’re choosing a product that’s low in sugar.

DITCHING DAIRY

It’s a common belief that milk makes you put on weight because it’s high in fat and therefore calories. In fact, studies reveal the opposite may be true: intake of dairy, particularly of low-fat versions as part of a lower-calorie diet, may help speed up weight loss, especially when it comes to burning the fat that sits around the waist.Other people skip it because they think dairy products are at the root of digestive problems such as bloating. An intolerance to lactose – the main sugar in milk – does cause bloating, along with other digestive problems such as wind, diarrhea and stomach pain. But according to the British Nutrition Foundation, only about one in 20 of us suffers with lactose intolerance.

Most experts agree that dairy products are an important part of a healthy diet as they provide a wide range of nutrients, particularly calcium for strong bones and teeth.National figures show eight per cent of women, 12 per cent of teenage boys and 19 per cent of teenage girls have very low intakes of calcium. The National Osteoporosis Society says that one in two women and one in every five men over the age of 50 fractures a bone due to osteoporosis, a condition where bones are so fragile they can easily break.

A low-calcium intake, especially in childhood and teenage years, is thought to be a key cause of this, as it means bones are unable to reach their full strength in adulthood.

A Palm-Beach based holistic nutritionist has released a cookbook containing several recipes as well as advice to becoming a healthier and happier you. “The Farmer’s Daughter’s Guide to Nutritious and Delicious Eating,” by author Rosanne C. Martino, is a realistic approach to cooking and eating good food.

‘Delicious Eating’ consists 15 chapters including several recipes, knowledge from the author’s professional background, as well as tips and tricks revolving around several different foods. From spices and herbs to oils and fats, vegetables and fruits to vitamins and superfoods, Martino offers wisdom about various food groups stemming from her years of experience as a nutritionist.

Martino, who has always been interested in holding herself in a holistic manner, became inspired to write this book after a friend became ill. After thinking about how she could help him regarding his dietary habits, she incorporated her background in holistic nutrition and began writing her meals down as recipes.

“I want to be able to share my knowledge and information about what I have learned and experience regarding growing, harvesting and preparing food,” Martino said. “I’d also like to inform people of the lifestyles of healthy choices related to nutrition.”

“This book was very easy to read and understand,” a reviewer wrote about the book. “The author does not talk down to you – it’s like an old friend sharing recipes and health tips with you. Great photos and very informational.”

A unique approach to the modern cookbook, “The Farmer’s Daughter’s Guide to Nutritious and Delicious Eating” will peak readers’ interests with its subtle yet fun approach to the process of cooking food.

Running may reverse aging in certain ways while walking does not, a noteworthy new study of active older people finds. The findings raise interesting questions about whether most of us need to pick up the pace of our workouts in order to gain the greatest benefit.

Walking is excellent exercise. No one disputes that idea. Older people who walk typically have a lower incidence of obesity, arthritis, heart disease and diabetes, and longer lifespans than people who are sedentary. For many years, in fact, physicians and scientists have used how far and fast someone can walk as a marker of health as people age.

But researchers and older people themselves also have noted that walking ability tends to decline with age. Older people whose primary exercise is walking often start walking more slowly and with greater difficulty as the years pass, fatiguing more easily.

Many of us probably would assume that this physical slowing is inevitable. And in past studies of aging walkers, physiologists have found that, almost invariably, their walking economy declines over time. That is, they begin using more energy with each step, which makes moving harder and more tiring.

But researchers at the University of Colorado in Boulder and Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif., began to wonder whether this slow decay of older people’s physical ease really is inexorable or if it might be slowed or reversed by other types of exercise and, in particular, by running.

Happily, Boulder has an unusually large population of highly active older people, so the scientists did not lack for potential research subjects. Putting the word out at gyms and among running and walking groups, they soon recruited 30 men and women in their mid- to late-60s or early 70s.

Fifteen of these volunteers walked at least three times a week for 30 minutes or more. The other 15 ran at least three times a week, again for 30 minutes or more. The runners’ pace varied, but most moved at a gentle jogging speed.

The scientists gathered all of the volunteers at the University of Colorado’s Locomotion Laboratory and had each runner and walker complete three brief sessions of walking at three different, steadily increasing speeds on specially equipped treadmills. The treadmills were designed to measure how the volunteers’ feet hit the ground, in order to assess their biomechanics.

The volunteers also wore masks that measured their oxygen intake, data that the researchers used to determine their basic walking economy.

As it turned out, the runners were better, more efficient walkers than the walkers. They required less energy to move at the same pace as the volunteers who only walked regularly.

In fact, when the researchers compared their older runners’ walking efficiency to that of young people, which had been measured in earlier experiments at the same lab, they found that 70-year-old runners had about the same walking efficiency as your typical sedentary college student. Old runners, it appeared, could walk with the pep of young people.

Older walkers, on the other hand, had about the same walking economy as people of the same age who were sedentary. In effect, walking did not prevent people from losing their ability to walk with ease.

More surprising to the researchers, the biomechanics of the runners and the walkers during walking were almost identical. Runners did not walk differently than regular walkers, in terms of how many steps they took or the length of their strides or other measures of the mechanics of their walking.

But something was different.

The researchers speculate that this difference resides deep within their volunteers’ muscle cells. Intense or prolonged aerobic exercise, such as running, is known to increase the number of mitochondria within muscle cells, said Justus Ortega, now an associate professor of kinesiology at Humboldt University, who led the study. Mitochondria help to provide energy for these cells. So more mitochondria allow people to move for longer periods of time with less effort, he said.

Runners also may have better coordination between their muscles than walkers do, Dr. Ortega said, meaning that fewer muscles need to contract during movement, resulting in less energy being used.

But whatever the reason, running definitely mitigated the otherwise substantial decline in walking economy that seems to occur with age, he said, a result that has implications beyond the physiology lab. If moving feels easier, he said, people tend to do more of it, improving their health and enhancing their lives in the process.

The good news for people who don’t currently run is that you may be able to start at any age and still benefit, Dr. Ortega said. “Quite a few of our volunteers hadn’t take up running until they were in their 60s,” he said.

And running itself may not even be needed. Any physically taxing activity likely would make you a more efficient physical machine, Dr. Ortega said. So maybe consider speeding up for a minute or so during your next walk, until your heart pounds and you pant a bit; ease off; then again pick up the pace. You will shave time from your walk and potentially decades from your body’s biological age.

Maybe you’re convinced you shouldn’t lift weights because you prefer not looking like The Hulk. Maybe you figure you just wouldn’t like it, since you’re not one of those CrossFit types.

We hate to be confrontational about it, but frankly, you’re wrong. Despite a prevalent allegiance to cardio machines for things like weight loss and overall health, strength training not only builds muscle but can prevent disease, improve mood and — really! — help you lose weight.

Here are 12 smart reasons to include a little work with the weights into your fitness repertoire.

1. You’ll live longer.

While most forms of regular exercise can add years to your life, strength training in particular has big benefits. As we get older, the more muscle mass we have, the less likely we are to die prematurely, according to 2014 research from UCLA. “In other words, the greater your muscle mass, the lower your risk of death,” study co-author Arun Karlamangla, M.D., said in a statement. “Thus, rather than worrying about weight or body mass index, we should be trying to maximize and maintain muscle mass.” And what better way to maximize those muscles than by pumping iron?

2. For better sleep.

Regular exercisers — especially those who truly push themselves — report the best sleep, and weightlifting is no exception. In a small 2012 study in older men, researchers found that resistance training reduced the number of times the study participants woke up during the night, as compared to a control group who performed no exercise.

3. Your progress is so noticeable.

There’s nothing that feels quite as rewarding as setting a goal and crushing it. If you’re new to strength work, you’ll find that a weight you once thought was impossible to lift starts to feel easy sooner than you might imagine. And then, you’ll feel like a boss.

4. To protect your bones.

Weight-bearing exercise and particularly strength training is thought to increase bone density, reducing the risk of fractures and breaks among older adults.

5. To boost your balance.

Of course, one major cause of bone breaks as we age is falling. Some of weightlifting’s benefit in protecting against osteoporosis may be improved strength and balance, resulting in fewer falls. Indeed, research suggests that various resistance routines can reduce an older person’s rate of falling by around 30 percent.

6. It can make you happier.

Like many forms of physical activity, a little lifting can work wonders for your mental health. Strength training has been linked to reduced anxiety and depression symptoms as well as improved self-esteem, and it may even give your brainpower a boost.

7. To look better in your skinny jeans.

Now, we don’t suggest you lift weights (or do any exercise, for that matter) solely for appearance — there are just so many other benefits! — but when it comes to slimming down, endless hours on the elliptical may not be getting you any closer to the results you desperately seek. In fact, building muscle may help you lose fat more effectively than simply doing cardio. “If you’re looking to lose fat, go with strength training,” trainer Nick Tumminello, author of Strength Training for Fat Loss told Business Insider. “Watch your diet to reveal your shape, and strength train to improve that shape.”

Adding strength work to your regular exercise routine doesn’t have to eat up the tiny bit of free time you had left in the day. In fact, lifting is one area where more is not always better — around 30 to 60 minutes a week, total, is plenty, according to Runner’s Times.

10. And you don’t even have to go to the gym.

We’re using the term “lifting weights,” but the world of strength and resistance training includes a whole host of options outside of what you’d find at the gym. You can “lift weights” with cans and jars you find in your kitchen. You can “lift weights” using only your body. You can buy a pair of five-pound dumbbells and lift along with a DVD in the comfort of your own living room, where the only person checking you out in the mirror is you. In fact, if you’re new to strength training, many moves are safer if performed with just your bodyweight until you can get the hang of perfect form. Plus, many of those machines at the gym aren’t adjustable enough for the wide range of bodies that use them.

11. To run faster (really!)

Or swim longer or bike harder or get better at just about any other athletic endeavor you fancy. Why? Because you’ll be cultivating stronger, more powerful muscles to then put to good use. Also, strength training can help prevent injuries in other athletic pursuits, by helping correct muscle imbalances that in turn throw your form — even just while sitting or standing — out of whack.

12. To help your heart.

Despite the name, cardio isn’t the only form of exercise with cardiovascular benefits. A resistance training routine has been shown to lower blood pressure, in some casesas effectively as taking medication. The American Heart Association recommends adults aim for at least two strength training sessions a week.

Cellulite is a curse to millions of women as they get older. It can appear anywhere, but generally shows up first and most noticeably on the thighs and buttocks. Some describe it as looking like there is cottage cheese under the skin or that their skin looks as rough and dimply as an orange or grapefruit.

So, what is it, what causes it and more importantly, how does one get rid of it.

The ugly truth about cellulite is that it’s fat that accumulates under the skin. As described in the video below, as you age, fat cells under the skin begin to accumulate more and more fat, which causes them to swell bigger and bigger. There is a layer of connective tissue that lies between the fat cells and your skin, but as you age, that layer connective tissue gets stretched, making it look like a fishing net. As the fat cells swell, they bugle through the holes or gaps in the netting of connective tissue. This is what gives it the cottage cheese or citrus peel look.

Is cellulite an indication of a weight problem – getting overweight?

No. Most experts believe that the appearance of cellulite has nothing to do with your actual weight, although it tends to show more on heavier people. In fact, you can blame part of your cellulite on your parents, grandparents, great grandparents on up the line as genetics is believed to be one of the main causes of cellulite.

Another cause of cellulite is hormones, and face it ladies, you have more hormonal issues than men do, which is why more women suffer from the unpleasant curse of cellulite. Hormonal changes in the woman’s body during puberty, pregnancy, post pregnancy and menopause all tend to contribute to the build-up of cellulite.

The four leading factors for the accumulation of cellulite are your gender, age, genetics and hormones. With that said, note that some men also accumulate cellulite, however, it is a lot more prevalent in women, especially older women.

Is there anything you can do to prevent the build-up of cellulite? Other than watching what you eat and staying active, there isn’t a whole lot that can be done to prevent it happening to you. Eating a healthy diet that is not conducive to building fat, can be a big help, but it’s not enough on its own. Exercising and staying fit and toned also helps, but like eating a healthy diet, it’s not enough by itself to prevent cellulite.

Are there any remedies to help get rid of cellulite? If you look on the internet, you will find a multitude of products and activities that all claim to get rid of cellulite. Knowing the vanity of many women and how much they hate the look of cellulite thighs and butts, fighting cellulite is a multi-million-dollar industry.

However, don’t get duped or waste your money on many of the alleged claims. According to Dr. Oz in the video below, there is not a single crème or product that will magically get rid of your cellulite.

Strenuous exercises like jogging, running and swimming may help reduce the amount of cellulite and tone up the muscles around the cellulite, it won’t get rid of it all. Exercising, coupled with a really stringent low-fat and low-calorie diet, help some see improvement, but again, it won’t make it all go away.

Some see some success in getting rid of cellulite through invasive procedures like liposuction, but sometimes, it’s only a temporary solution as the genetic and hormonal propensity to build cellulite does not go away and will eventually build up another supply.

Sorry ladies, but cellulite is a curse you will most likely have to learn to live with for the rest of your days.

Stomach fat can be due to an array of factors. Lack of exercise, over sleeping the afternoons, as well as an unhealthy diet and lifestyle may collectively lead to this particular state. Here are the surprising foods for quickly shrinking your tummy, which will help you shed inches and pounds and also to banish the bloat.

Foods for a Flat Stomach

Salmon: Salmon is an excellent source of Vitamin D. Insufficient blood levels of Vitamin D have been linked to obesity, including abdominal obesity. The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and other fatty fish can also help flatten your belly.

Cucumbers: Cucumbers are loaded with water and naturally low in calories to help with hydration and weight management. One whole cucumber has just 45 calories and eating them can also help you fight belly bloat.

Fennel Seeds: Dried fennel seeds are very nutritious, containing fiber, magnesium, calcium and iron, and they have long been used as a digestive aid. Fennel helps to relax the gastrointestinal muscles, which helps trapped gas pass to alleviate bloating.

Whole Grains: Whole grains including quinoa, popcorn, oats and wheat — can help flatten your tummy. The USDA recommends healthy adults consume about six ounces of total grains per day, and that at least half of those grains should be whole grains.

What you eat after rolling out of bed has the power to banish cravings, turbo-charge energy, and keep your waistline in check.

Breakfast munchers eat 12 percent healthier throughout the day, according to data from the app Eatery (by Massive Health), which tracks users’ daily chow-down habits. “Skipping breakfast makes you more likely to overindulge at your next meal or eat mid-morning snacks that are high in calories and sugar to ward off hunger until lunch,” says Amari Cheffer, R.D., owner of Eat Chic Chicago.

And if the a.m. is your time to exercise, you especially need to nosh. When you wake up, blood sugar levels and carb stores are way down, explains sports dietitian Michele Macedonio, R.D. Breakfast provides what your brain needs to feel alert and what your muscles need to perform at their best—so you feel zippy on the treadmill instead of fatigued and, well, just blah.

Don’t reach for just any cereal or oatmeal, though. Different morning routines call for different morning meals. Whether you’re trying to drop 10 pounds or rip through an a.m. BodyPump class, one of these eight yummy, satisfying breakfasts will start your day on a high note.

After you leave the gym, aim for another 20 grams of protein, as studies show this is ideal for kick-starting the muscle-repair process. Try 6 ounces of fat-free or low-fat ricotta cheese, a cup of fat-free or low-fat Greek yogurt, or 3 ounces of sliced roast beef or roasted chicken.

THE BEST BREAKFAST IF YOU…ARE TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT

Repeat after us: A grande skinny caramel macchiato is not a breakfast. For the same wake-you-up buzz of caffeine and healthful antioxidants and no calories, have green tea. Then make one or two eggs—the whole thing, not just the whites since more than half of the fill-you-up protein is in the yolk—with a piece of fruit such as an apple or a cup of raspberries. This all clocks in between 135 to 240 calories and has 7 to 14 grams of protein and 4.5 to 8 grams of fiber to provide staying power until lunch, Cheffer says.

THE BEST BREAKFAST IF YOU…STILL FEEL FULL FROM DINNER

First things first: Eat! “That will keep your metabolism going,” Cheffer says. Nibble on something light within an hour of waking up such as a piece of fruit. And next time push back dinnertime. Eating two to three hours before going to sleep—including snacks—will give your body ample time to digest everything before the a.m.

THE BEST BREAKFAST IF YOU…DO CARDIO IN THE A.M.

Your muscles run on carbs as their main source of fuel when your heart’s pumping while you run, spin, or sweat on an elliptical, so eat an hour before your exercise to boost energy and allow your body time to break down your meal. Swirl fat-free or low-fat yogurt into oatmeal and top with fresh fruit or raisins. (if you have less time, a fruit and milk or yogurt smoothie wins points for easy digestibility.)

Post-workout, enjoy a mix of carbs to replenish glycogen stores and protein to maximize muscle repair, ideally within 30 minutes of your cooldown—this is the prime time when muscles are like a sponge, absorbing all those powerhouse nutrients. A 100-calorie whole-wheat sandwich, spread with a thin layer of peanut butter and topped with a bit of honey or jelly is an easy choice, Macedonio says.

THE BEST BREAKFAST IF YOU…WILL HAVE A LATE LUNCH

Slow-digesting fiber and protein are your best friends when you want to quash stomach rumblings. Shoot for 7 to 10 grams of fiber and 15 to 20 grams of protein, which can deliciously be reached with a pseudo-parfait of a cup of fat-free or low-fat Greek yogurt, a serving of high-fiber cereal (look for those that pack at least five grams per serving), and fresh or frozen blueberries.

THE BEST BREAKFAST IF YOU…CAN’T STOMACH A LOT OF FOOD

The last thing you want is something that sits like a rock in your gut, so an easy-to-digest smoothie is the way to go. Keep it healthy by blending frozen fruit and milk or a non-dairy alternative. Or buy a bottled one that contains less than 30 grams of sugar per serving and protein to slow the rate at which your body absorbs that sugar and keep you fuller longer, Cheffer says. Either way, sip slowly through the morning for a dose of important vitamins and minerals.

THE BEST BREAKFAST IF YOU…ARE ON THE GO

On Sunday, prep Macedonio’s favorite eat-on-the-run option for the week: Mix a whole-grain, high-fiber, low-sugar cereal (she likes Mini Shredded Wheat, Cheerios, or Chex); nuts (soy nuts, peanuts, or almonds); and dried fruit (raisins or cranberries), and portion out one-cup servings into sandwich bags. On your way out the door in the morning, grab a bag and a single-serve carton of low-fat milk. Or bake up a half-dozen fiber-rich breakfast muffins and freeze. Take one out the night before to thaw, or defrost it in the toaster oven when you wake up. Both options offer that perfect combo of carbs and protein that helps kick your brain into gear and satisfies your hunger.

THE BEST BREAKFAST IF YOU…PRACTICE YOGA IN THE A.M.

Breakfast isn’t one-size-fits-all for yogis. Intense, athletic-style classes call for any of the options listed previously for cardio or strength workouts. Since milder versions of yoga typically don’t burn as many calories, Macedonio recommends a piece of fruit or container of applesauce before heading to the studio to pump up energy without weighing you down during an inversion.

Following any type of downward dog session, chopped fruit stirred into a container of fat-free or low-fat plain yogurt is a good bet, as it delivers (say it with us) carbs and protein to recharge your body.

You know you need protein for a flat belly diet: It’s a crucial building block for lean muscle, which in turn burns fat. But you probably don’t realize how many different foods will give you a serious amount, including fruits and veggies. In fact, a number of unsung and surprising foods pack almost as much — or even more — protein than an egg. (For reference, that’s 6 grams.)

1. GREEN PEAS

It’s enough to make Popeye do a spit take: Despite their wimpy reputation, a cup of green peas contains eight times the protein of a cup of spinach. And with almost 100% of your daily value of Vitamin C in a single cup, they’ll help keep your immune system up to snuff.

How to Enjoy Them: Layer them into a mason jar salad or add them to an omelet to boost eggs’ satiating power.

2. GUAVA

The highest-protein fruit, guava packs more than 4 grams per cup, along with 9 grams of fiber and only 112 calories. With 600% of your DV of Vitamin C per cup — the equivalent of more than seven medium oranges! — the tropical fruit should merengue its way into your shopping cart ASAP.

How to Enjoy Them: The fairly complicated preparation process involves slicing and eating. You can also toss them into just about any type of salad, slip slices into a detox water, or make homemade popsicles with a fraction of the sugar of storebought.

3. Hemp Seeds

Similar in taste to sunflower seeds, these nuts are derived from hemp seeds, which are also used to grow cannabis. (We know what you’re thinking. The answer is no.) By weight, hemp seed nuts provide more high-quality protein than even beef or fish. Each nut is also packed with heart-healthy alphalinoleic acid. Find them in your local health-food store or in the natural-products section of your grocery store.

How to Enjoy Them: Eat them straight from the bag, or sprinkle a handful on salads or in your morning oatmeal.

4. LENTILS

Here are some pretty amazing proportions: One cup of lentils has the protein of three eggs, with less than one gram of fat! Their high fiber content makes them extremely satiating, and studies have shown that they speed fat loss: Spanish researchers found that people whose diets included four weekly servings of legumes lost more weight and improved their cholesterol more than people who didn’t.

How to Enjoy Them: Eat them on their own as a side or simmer them into a number of all-season soups.

5. KAMUT

This ancient grain, which you can use in place of quinoa, has 3 more grams of protein per cup than its trendy cousin. It’s high in magnesium, potassium and iron, with 21 g of fiber per cup. Bonus: A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating kamut reduces cholesterol, blood sugar and cytokines, which cause inflammation throughout the body.

How to Enjoy It: Toss it into salads or eat it as a side dish on its own. And if you’re looking for a quick way to turbocharge your own weight-loss, sip your way thin with The 7-Day Flat-Belly Tea Diet and Cleanse. Test panelists lost up to 10 pounds in just one week!

6. TRITICALE

You may not have heard about this wheat-rye hybrid, but it just might become your favorite. An able stand-in for rice or quinoa, triticale packs twice as much protein as an egg in one 1/2 cup serving! It’s also rich in brain-boosting iron, muscle-mending potassium and magnesium, and heart-healthy fiber.

How to Enjoy It: Use triticale in place of rice and mix it with soy sauce, fresh ginger, cloves, shiitake mushrooms and edamame to make a healthy, Asian-inspired dish. You can also use triticale flour in place of traditional flour in your baking.

7. GOAT CHEESE

Dairy products are famously protein rich, but this versatile cheese (dare we say the most versatile?) is truly impressive: You can get nearly 10% of your daily protein from a 1 oz, 76-calorie serving.

How to Enjoy It: Crumble goat cheese over a colorful salad and top it with ourZero Belly Vinaigrette dressing; use a watermelon or chickpea base to ratchet up the fat-burning benefits. Or combine feta with other flat-belly ingredients to make a creative healthy homemade pizza, like the arugula-and-cherry number above.

8. PUMPKIN SEEDS

When it comes to healthy snack foods, almonds and walnuts are always on the A-list, but pumpkin seeds, a.k.a. pepitas, are an underrated winner. One half-cup serving has 20% more protein than an egg, and is high in iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and immune-system-boosting zinc.

How to Enjoy Them: Add pumpkin seeds to salads, oats and yogurt, or grab a handful as a snack.

9. SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Tomatoes are packed with the antioxidant lycopene, which studies show can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Just one cup of the sun-dried version will lend you 7 grams of fiber, ¾ of your RDA of potassium—which is essential for heart health and tissue repair—and 50% of your RDA of vitamin C, the superstar antioxidant that prevents DNA damage. They’re also rich in vitamins A and K.

How to Enjoy Them: Use them as a pizza topping, a tangy addition to salads, or snack on them right out of the bag.

11. CHICKPEAS

You might not think of the little beige bullets as a superfood, but it’s time to start. High in nutrients and soluble fiber, chickpeas are a prime weight-loss weapon, increasing feelings of satiety by releasing an appetite-suppressing hormone called cholecystokinin.

How to Enjoy Them: Use chickpeas as a base for a salad incorporating tomatoes and feta, blend them into homemade hummus with lemon and olive oil, or roast them (above) for a superhealthy alternative to chips. You can also substitute chickpea flour for a portion of the regular flour you use in baking; it contains almost twice as much protein as the standard white stuff.

12. GRUYÈRE CHEESE

Here’s an excuse for a wine-and-cheese hour: The schmancy Swiss cheese (don’t forget the accented ‘e’) contains 30% more protein than an egg in one slice, plus one-third of your RDA of vitamin A.

How to Enjoy It: If you’re looking to indulge, keep your serving to the size of four dice, and moderate your vino to one glass for women, two glasses for men, to get the bad-cholesterol-lowering benefits of the antioxidant resveratrol. Also, slim down fast by offsetting all these empty calories with these 8 Best-Ever Superfoods for a Flat Stomach!

13. ARTICHOKES

Ghrelin is your body’s “I’m hungry” hormone, which is suppressed when your stomach is full, so eating satiating high-fiber and high-protein foods is a no-brainer. The humble artichoke is a winner on both counts: It has almost twice as much fiber as kale (10.3 g per medium artichoke, or 40% of the daily fiber the average woman needs) and one of the highest protein counts among vegetables.

How to Enjoy It: Boil and eat the whole shebang as a self-contained salad (why not add a little goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes?), toss the leaves with your favorite greens and dressing, or peel and pop the hearts onto healthy pizzas and flatbreads.

14. TEFF

Dubbed the next big thing in grains, teff has some calling it “the new quinoa,” and Lisa Moskovitz, RD, says that label is well deserved. “It’s a more complete amino acid-packed protein than quinoa itself,” she says. “That makes it great for anyone who wants to keep calories low and protein high.” Moskovitz says the health benefits don’t stop there. Teff is “also a good source of fiber, in addition to containing 30 percent of your daily value of blood-pumping iron.” All that fiber and protein add up to one key element in your slim-down efforts: appetite control.

How to Enjoy It: Cook teff as a simple side dish with some Parmesan, onions, fresh garlic and tomatoes, or use it as a base for breakfast porridge. Add honey, fruit, and unsweetened coconut flakes for some additional flavor and crunch.

15. BLACKBERRIES

The fruit with the second-highest amount of protein (behind guava), blackberries’ benefits are strictly front-of-the-pack. They boast phytonutrients that help blood clot and keep bones healthy, as well as the antioxidant lutein, which supports eye health. Plus, with 8 grams of fiber per cup (almost as much as soybeans), blackberries are one of the 11 Best High-Fiber Foods for Weight Loss.

How to Enjoy Them: Scarf them by the handful, add them to whole-wheat pancakes, or sprinkle them into plain Greek yogurt for a high-protein breakfast without excess sugar.

16. CHIA SEEDS

One of the hallmarks of a balanced diet is to have a good ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3s. A 4:1 ratio would be ideal, but the modern American diet is more like 20:1. That leads to inflammation, which can trigger weight gain. But while eating a serving of salmon every day isn’t exactly convenient, sprinkling chia seeds—among the most highly concentrated sources of omega-3s in the food world—into smoothies, salads, cereals, pancakes or even desserts is as easy a diet upgrade as you can get.

How to Enjoy It: Bring a chia-based snack to work that you can reach for (guilt free!). Try making chia pudding with 1/2 cup chia seeds, 2 cups unsweetened almond milk and vanilla extract to taste. In a rush? Stock up on Chia Pods for a quick grab-and-go snack.

17. AMARANTH

Like quinoa, this nutrient-packed seed is native to the Americas and was a staple of the Incan diet. The grain-like seeds have a mild, nutty taste. Gram for gram, few grains can compete with amaranth’s nutritional portfolio. It’s higher in fiber and protein than wheat and brown rice, it’s loaded with vitamins, and it’s been shown in studies to help lower blood pressure and harmful LDL cholesterol.

How to Enjoy It: Amaranth cooks up just like rice, but it’s even more versatile. Toss it with grilled vegetables as a bed for chicken or steak, or with apples, almonds, and goat cheese for a serious salad.

18. GOLDENBERRIES

These tangy, dark yellow berries are native to South America, where they’re sold fresh or made into preserves. In the United States, you’re more likely to find the fruit dried and bagged.
One serving of dried goldenberries contains 4 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. They’re also a great source of vitamin A and disease-fighting antioxidants. You can find them at Whole Foods.

How to Enjoy Them: Snack on the dried berries alone like you would raisins, or toss a handful on a salad or your breakfast cereal.

19. MUNG BEANS

Commonly eaten in China and India, these beans have a tender texture and a sweet, nutty flavor. They’re high in potassium, iron, and fiber, but they’re also 24 percent protein. What’s more, unlike many other legumes, mung beans retain most of their high levels of vitamin C even after they’re boiled.

You’ve been working hard, killing your ab workouts, and sticking to your meal plan to reduce that pesky body fat. You’ve even skipped those late night food runs with your buddies, but your abs still aren’t showing. What gives? It could be that your body is holding water. That’s right, subcutaneous fluid stored in your cells, causing your skin to have a puffy, inflated look, and ultimately covering any muscle definition you may have earned.

There are a number of factors that cause water retention – too much sodium, supplements, and even dehydration – to name a few. There is good news though, you can naturally help your body get rid of that extra water so that you can reveal those hard-earned abs. Note: flushing excess water to reveal muscle definition will only work if you have a low body fat percentage. If you don’t fall into that category just yet, work on getting there before you blame water weight for hindering your reveal. Check out these tips to help you showcase that six-pack.

1. REDUCE SODIUM

An almost guaranteed way to store extra water is by having a diet high in sodium. The more sodium you intake, the more water your body will hold. Be sure to read nutrition labels and avoid foods that are high in sodium such as processed foods like soups, canned foods, frozen meals, seasonings, and condiments.

2 DRINK MORE WATER

It may be counterintuitive, but you can avoid water retention by increasing the amount of water you drink. The body needs water to flush out our cells, and if the body isn’t getting enough, it will store water until it gets enough. Providing your body with a sufficient amount of water will allow it to perform optimally.

3. SWEAT IT OUT

As we know, sweat is simply water that’s stored in the body. If you have excess water weight, working out hard and sweating will help shed it. Keep in mind that the weight will come back as soon as you rehydrate. With that being said, it’s a good method to use if you have an event coming up and need to shed a little weight.

4. WATCH YOUR SUPPS

Creatine is a common supplement for those that want to add size to their frame — and it’s great for that. Creatine pulls water into the muscle, which increases protein synthesis. While taking creatine, you can expect water weight gain from two to four pounds. If you want to look shredded, you might want to stop taking it at least a week prior.

5. LOSE THE LIQUOR

Alcohol is dehydrating — that may sound like a good thing. However, if your body is dehydrated due to alcohol consumption, it’s more prone to hold onto water from any other source to try and compensate for fluid loss. It’s best to avoid alcohol of any sort if you want well-defined muscles, especially if you’re prepping for an event. You’re better off to save the alcohol consumption for after the event.

6. EAT ASPARAGUS

Little known fact is that asparagus are a natural diuretic. They’re also a great source of fiber as well as vitamins A, C, E and K. When preparing these, make sure you skip adding salt or salted butter.

7. DRINK CRANBERRY JUICE

Cranberry juice is a natural diuretic that will not only flush excess water from your body, but toxins as well. Try to opt for cranberry juice concentrate versus cranberry juice cocktail to avoid unnecessary added sugar.

8. TAKE A MULTIVITAMIN

Lack of certain micronutrients such as vitamin B1 and B6 can lead to unwanted water weight. Be sure to take a multi-vitamin to ensure you’re getting all necessary nutrients to help your body work optimally.